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1 1 628 989 May 19,27 A. E. LOEWY AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed July 24. 1924 s Sheets-Sheet 2 29 my I .5-,/

1,628 989 May 17, 1927. A. E. LOEWY AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed July 24. 1924 5 Sheets$heet 3 May 17, 1927.

A. E. LOEWY AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed July 24, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Second coalition 1,528,989 1927' A. E. LOEWY AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed July'24, 1924 5 Sheets-Shae?v 5 Patented May 17, 1927.

UNETED STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

AARON E. LOEWY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG NOR TO LIBERMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

Application filed July 24, 1924. Serial No. 727,258.

My invention relates to automatic controlling i'nechanism. The invention is especially applicable to full-fashioned hosiery knitting machines.

6 The object of the invention is to provide improved means for detern'iining the number of courses of given characteristicsbefore stopping the machines. The device is especially adapted for the control of a multiple head machine. containing for example from eighteen to twenty sections. each of which produces a stocking. Each of these sections is practically a knitting machine in itself, but all work in synchronism and have in common the drive motion and the various sup plemental attachments and mechanisms such as narrowing motion, tension, yarn feeding and so forth.

The invention comprises improved means for permitting a predetermined number of courses to be knitted. and then for automatically stopping the knitting machine, in order to permit the operator to set the knitting machine for another set of courses, having a different width, or other characteristics,

, whereupon the knitting machine is again arbitrarily started, and, after knitting another predetermined number of courses, the knitting machine is again automatically stopped .and so on until the work is completed.

The invention also comprises lmprovements in details of construction. 7

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate merely by way of example, suitable means for effecting the invention Fig. 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of parts that are obscured in Fig. 1. p v Fig. 1 is a similar view with parts in different position.

Fig. 2 IS a plan view. 'Fig. 3 is a front elevation.

Fig. 4 is a plan view below the line 4, 4 on Fig. 3.

' Fig. 5 is a plan view below the line 5, 5

ofFig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6, 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a portion of the knitting machine, showing the position of the controlling device. on a reduced scale.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 9 is a view in perspective on an enlarged scale of block 55.

Fig. 10 is a section on line 10, 10 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is an elevation of the detent plate.

Fig. 12 comprises side eievations of the detent plate and controlling medhanism showing the same in three different positions.

Fig. 13 comprises plan views of same.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of worm gear Wheel and associated mechanism, below line 14, 14 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 15 is a section on line 15, 15 of Fig.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of the respective movements of the, head be- 7 tween points of release.

Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive, are on enlarged scale.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Fig. 7, is shown a portion of a knitting machine, the drive shaft 16 of which is operated by the motor 17. The motor switch or other suitable control 18, is operated by the horizontal rod 19, which extends across N the machine and is adapted to be shifted to the right or to'the left by the operator to stop or start the motor. The mechanism comprising the present invention, indicated by is attached at a suitable point on the machine, and is provided with the lever20 having its free end 21 projecting between studs or abutments 22 on rod 19.

It is the means for automatically actuating the lever 20 that comprises the present invention.

The lever 20 is pivoted at 23, see Fig. 3, to element 24' of standard 24 connected to the frame 25, which frame 25 is mounted on the posts 28 secured in any suitable way to the frame of the knitting machine. The element 24 is slidably connected to standard 24 by bolt and slot for vertical adjustment.

A slide bar 26 is suitably housed on the frame 25 and is provided with an abutment 27 adapted to engage the lower end of lever 20. The slide bar 26 is provided with a,lug 29 to which is connected one end of the link 30, see Fig. 2. The other end of link 30 is adjustably connected, by pin and slot engagement, to the bell-lever 31, oivotally mounted at 32 on the frame 25-. The other arm of bell-lever 31 is pivotally connected,

by means of the links 33, to the slide rod 34, also suitably housed on the frame 25. This slide rod 34 is provided at its free or outer end, with an extension 35 pivoted thereto. Extension 35 is provided with a lug 36 to which is pivoted one end of the link 37. A bar 38 1s slidably connected to slide rod 34 by means of pin and slot en gagement. The outer end of the slide bar 38 is provided with a lug 39 to which the other end of link 37 is pivotally secured. The rear end of slide bar 38 is provided with a lug or projection 40, extending at right angles to the main extension of said bar 38.

It should also be noted that the housing of slide bar 26 includes an engaging surface 41 of leather or similar material subject to adjustable pressure by means of the pressure screw 42 as shown in Fig. 3. i

A rotatable head 43, see Fig. 15, is m'oun't ed on a shaft 44 vertically mounted in a suitablebearing in the frame 25. This'head 43 is pinned or keyed to the shaft 44 by the pin 43'. To the underside of the head 43 is rigidly secured the cam plate 45.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 44 is the worm gear wheel 46, the upper side of which is provided with a recess 47 into which the cam plate projects, see Figs. 14 and 15. The cam plate 45 is so formed peripherally as to provide tapered recesses 48. between its margins and the surrounding margin of the recess 47. The rollers 49 are seated in these tapered recesses 48 and are urged towards the tapering ends of said recesses 48 by the springs 50.

By this arrangement it will be seen that the shaft 44 and cam plate 45 will be capable of independent counter-clockwise movement with respect to the gear wheel 46, but will be locked therewith with respect to reverse movement.

A plate 51 is secured on top of head 43 by any suitable means, such as by the screws 52. The top outer margin of the plate 51 is provided with the annular recess 53 and the underside is provided with the annular channel 54.

number of these blocks are provided as shown in Fig; 2. These blocks 55 have an outer contact face 55, in the arc of the circle of which the axis ofshnft 44 is the center. This face 55' has a sharply defined edge where it joins the lefthand longitudiadjustment.

nal margin of the block, and. forms the critical point of release of the detent 79.

In addition to this, a stop arm 61, see Fig. 2, is secured to the top of plate 51 by any suitable means, as for example, by the screws 62.

A shaft 63, see Fig. 2, has suitable bearings connected to the frame 25 and carries at its outer end a ratchet wheel 64. This shaft is also provided with a worm 65 which cooperates with the'worm gear wheel 46.

The arm 65, see Fig. 1, is pivotally mounted on the shaft 63, and carries a pawl 66 which cooperates with the ratchetwheel 64. Arm 65 is connected by link .67 to an arm of bell-lever 68. This latter connection is by slot and pin engagement for purposes of Lever 68 is pivoted at 69 to the framework 25 and has an arm provided with the anti-friction wheel 70 for engagement with the cam 71. mounted on the shaft 72, see Fig. 7, driven synchronously with the knitting machine. The spring 73, connected between the lever 65 and the frame 25, keeps the wheel 70 in contact withthc can; 71, and the rotation of the cam 71 causes a forward and back movement of the pawl 66, and consequently a step by step movement of the ratchet wheel 64, with each revolution of cam 71.

A lever 74 is pivotally mounted at 74 to a bracket 75, connected to one of the posts 28, and is adapted to be engaged and actuated against the tension of spring 76, by a stud 77 on the side of the cam wheel 71. The upper end of this lever 74 isprovided with a contact plate 78, for engaging the end-of the extension 35 of slide bar 34.

Two ratchet wheels 64 are shown. These wheels may be of the same diameter, but one is provided with more teeth thanthe other. This arrangement is provided to adapt the machine to climatic condition, but has nothing to do with the present invcntion.

Batching mechanism.

A detent member or plate 79 is slidably mounted by pin and slot connection on u stationar; block 80, see Figs. 4 and 12. This detcnt plate 7.) has an upwardly extending portion 81 for engaging with the margins 55 of the blocks This detent plate 79 also has a stud 82 projecting from one side near its lower inner end. and on its other side it is provided with a pin 83 connected to one end of spring 84, the other end of said spring being connected to the stationary point 85.

To one end of slide bar 26 is connected, by pin and slot engagement, the lever 86 which is pivotallymounted on stud 87 secured to the frame 25. The other end of lever so is pivotally connected to one' end of link 8: the other end of link 88 being pivotaiiy ronncrtod to lever 89 which is con- This cam 71 is.

-d to the stationary framework hy a slot -tnd conneii n. as at 90. A spring 91 t mtes litittltttll) to maintain lever 89 with I i and at the outer end of the slot; that is. th inner end of said lever 89 at its :1 .ttri point of approach to the detent -it 75).

uremia-e 1i:..--ee Figs. 12 and 1 3, is piv- 'll v connected to an upright arm or lever the lower end of which is pivotally connectcd to the block at). and operates in a channel formed in said block, and is normally mntrolled by the spring 94, secured in said block.

The pawl 93 is pivotally se ured to the upright 91'. connected to or projecting from the frame 25. This pawl 95 is normally controlled by the spring 97. The outer end of the pawl 95 is rounded for engaging with the rounded end of member 92, and for moving said member as against. the actuation of its spring 94. This pawl 95 is provided with a laterally extending pin 98. projecting into a recessed part 99. of the upright or ost. 99. for limiting the moven'ient. of the pawL. This pawl 95 is also provided with an upwardly extending nose 109 for engagement with the rounded lugs 58 projecting from the undersides of the blocks :35.

'ihe lever 101 is pivotally mounted on the put 102. and is normall contrcdled by the spring 1'93. This level it is provided with a downwardly projecting element or extension 191' adapted normaily to engage the outer edge of detent member 79.

On the underside of fraud.- 2;). see Fig. 5. is pivotally secured the lever 104-. as at. 105. between its two ends. To one end of lever 104 is secured the spring 106. the other nd of the spring being connected to a stationary point. as 107. i

A pin 108 also proiccts from the underri'it' of lever 194. between it pivot and its w ring connected end. lever 109 is pivoted on the upper side of iever 104. also bet ween its pivot and its spring connected end. this lever m9 has one of its ends connect d by the spring lit) to an adjacent point 111. on lever 194. The other end of icver 109 has a )4 cessed portion 111 as shown.

The adjustable stop 113, is provided for engaging the other end ot lever it); to limit its spring actuatcd movement.

()n the lower end f shaft H is rigidly secured the cam format ion 1 H provided on its upper side with tlu crank pin 115 adapted to engage in the recess 11'. of lever 109.

the left hand margin of each arc-shaped surface as of a block 55, adapted to en gage the detent plate 79. shall be separated from an adjacent left hand margin, a distance which represents the number of courses required for a certain part of the knitted fabric. That is to say. if for ex ample. it is required that two hundred courses shall be knitted of a required width, and each course is represented by one tooth of the ratchet wheel 64. and the wheel contains forty teeth. it follows that the ratchet wheel must make tive rotations to secure the required number of courses. This distance. measured as the. head 43 rotates, due to the actuation by the ratchet wheel through the worm gear. and the blocks are set. accordingly. The other blocks are all similarly adjusted with respect to the spaces between the said left hand corners of adjacent blocks to secure the required number of courses in each section of the knitting thus represented. It should also be noted that. in the initial position of the head. the arm 61 engages with the lever 101 as in Fig. It follows that the engaging edge of this arm 61 is properly spaced from the left hand edge of the arc-shaped face of block 551. next adjacent to said arm ($1. to secure the required number of courses for the first section to be knit-ted. Such adjnstn'ient having been made. the machine is started by operating, for example the controlling rod 19. This causes a corresponding movement of lever 20.

By the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4. this starting operation causes the move ment of the lower end of lever 20 to the left, and-a corrcspoi'iding movement to the left of slide bar 26. This movement results primarily in the actuation. through the levers 8G and 89. acting upon the lug 82, of the detent plate 79. and causes it to shift to the ri ht against the action of spring 84; in which position it is latched by the mean her 9:2. as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 (first position). This results in detcnt 79 engaging the extension 191 of lever 101. to disengage said lever ittl'fronr the arm 61. on the plate 51. connected to head 43. At; the same time detent plate 79 engages the lug 40 on slide bar 38 toloek the same in the position in which extension 35 is held in the elevated position out of engagement with lever 74. as indicated in Fig. 1". The slide bar 38 has been previously moved into said position upon the inward cam actuated movement of slide bar 34.

The knitting machine is now in operation. and the cam 71, rotating synchronously therewith. causes a step by step rotative movement of ratchet wheel 64. which causes. through the worm gear, a rotative movement of head 43. As the first set of courses nears completion. the lug 58 of the first block 51:3

encounters the projection or nose 100 on the pawl 95 and presses it down so that its rounded end engages the end of-member 92 and forces it back against the action of spring 94, so as to release the edge 79 of detent 79 to permit it to pass said member 92. and move. in response to the actuation of spring 84. so that the inner edge of extension 81 of detent TS) will engage the face 55 of block 55. as in Figs. 12 and 13. (SP0- ond position). As the lug 58 passes the projection 100. the end of the pawl 95 is cle vated bv the action of spring 97, so as to permit the edge of plate 79 to pass bencath said pawl 9;"). Meanwhile the edge of extension 81 continues to engage the contact face 55'. until the left hand edge of said face is reached. whereupon the detent plate Tt) moves into tinal position Figs. 12 and 12K. (third position). in response to actuation of spring $4. This is the point at. which the required number of courses has been completed. and the knitting machine is to be stopped in order to adjust the same for a ditlcrent set of courses.

This final left hand movement, of detent plate 79 release the end 40 of slide bar 38 and permits the extension 255 of slide bar 31 to fall into the path of travel of contact piece T8 on the end of lever 74. which is actuated with each rotation of cam 71 by the engagement with said lever 74. of the lug T7 on cam T1. with the result, that the slide bar 3-1 is actuated. to operate through link til. l ell-lcvcr 31 and link lit). the slide bar :Zt. to the rightv and thus move the controlling lever it! to stop-the knitting machine.

\Yhcn the slide bar Qt? moves to the left. in tarting the machine. the lever 8.) engages the lug 82 to shift the detent plate 7) to the right. as above described. This lever 811 however. because of its spring controlled pin and slot connection. after actuating the dctcnt 'platc. snaps clear of lug 5;. so that th dctcnt plate is free to move to the left to initial position. without intcrt'ercrn-c of said lcvc $51 with lug S2.

ben slide bar it; is moved to the right. to stop the machine. the l(\'i'l' R11 is permit ted. lit-cause of said spring controlled pin and slot engagem nt. to snap over the lug S2 of dctent Tt) into position on the left hand side thereof so as to he in position to actuate said detcut plate to the right upon again starting thc machine. as above do scribed.

l have shown diagrammaticallv in Fig. 16 the resp ctive distance between the points of rclc: c. that is the left hand co ncrs of the peripheral faces of clement il and of elements 5.3. The e tll l2iilt't.- are in dicatcd by the letters a. 'i. 1'. r/ and 1'. liach of these distances represent the ovtcnt of each movement of the h ad til between adjacent points of arrest. and the eorrcspond ing operation of the knitting machines. to secure the required number of courses in each section of the work which is being controlled. As above stated these cam-blocks 55 are all adjustable with respect to the arm til.

\Vhen the machine has been set for the next set of courses the machine is again started by the arbitrary actuation of controlling rod 19 and the operation repeated as above described.

'hen the last set of courses has been complctcd. the head 43 is caused to rotate to initial position as shown in big. 1!. This is accomplished by the following met-bar nism. At the lower end of shaft 11 is Secnrc l the cam 114. see Fig. ii. ha. ing a crank pin 115 on the upper side thereof. To a post H13. extending downwardly from the frame :55. is pi\'otall mounted the lever lot. having a lug 10H on the underside thereof. adapted to engage the pcriphcrv of ram 111. This lcvcr 11 1 is provided with the spring 106. and has pivoted to its upper side the spring controllt l lever 1411). having the cn-l 112 engaging the crank pin 11.3. The an: rotates in the direction of the arrow. and it point 1H is set to pas the pin it. :ittrr the last block 55 is passed: that is. after the last course has been compliel. lo the initial position. or starting position of the knitting machine. the concentric part of the cam surface engages pin 10-8. .\s the shaft rotates the cam surface which engages 111s gradually increases in distance from the cam axis and thus [)tlrlltS ever 101 away from shaft H and stretches the spring loo. thus building up vower therein. As the cam thus rotates. it will be llllltll that spring controlled lever 109 has its end 112 in engagement with crank pin 115. \Vhcn pin 1 154 passes over point. ll-l'. the lever 101 is snapped back to initial position and.throu gh the actuation of spring 106. the lever 1 1 acting upon the crank pin 115. communi ates to the haft 44 a quick rotative actnat'aa to complete its rotation and bring the arm 81 into engagement with lever 101 as in Fig. "l. andthus the device is quickh brought to initial position.

.llcfcrring to Figs. 1-1 and 15, it will be seen that this linal'movement is possible to the cam and roller relationship betwe n ha t H and gear wheel -16. \Vhcn the Worm wheel to i rotated by its worm. in the coutiter-clockwise direction. the roller engagemcnt in the tapered recesses 49 requires that the shaft 44 must rotate with it. 'That is. the shaft and gear wheel are locked posi tivclv together. \neu the shaft 44 is driven h v worm wheel 46. \Vhen however the shaft is actuated by the spring 106, acting through the levers 104 and 109 on the crank in 115. the shaft 11 is free to move in advan e of the gear wheel.

till

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On the other hand when the gear wheel is stopped there is no possibility of a rebound or back nmvement of the shaft. This is of great importance, because, the CX- treniely short distance between the adjacent left hand edges of the bearing faces of the blocks 55. measures several hundred courses. and a variation by a very small fraction of an inch. in the stopping point of the head. would result in a discrepancy of many courses in the knitting. and thus imperfect product would result. This irregularity is quite common in the present practice where the rule of thumb" is used.

liy the present device. the gear wheel and shaft move as an integral body. when the shaft is actuated by the gear wheel: there is no backward movement. or back lash. of the shaft 44. At the same time. the shaft is free to move in advance of the gear wheel. when the final course is completed, to bring the device back instantly to initial position.

What I claim is:-

1. In an automatic controlling meelninism. the combination of a rotatable head. a driving mechanism adapted to cause step by step rotative movement of the head and to permit free rotative movement of the head independently of said driving mechanism, a plurality of elements adjustably secured around the periphery of the head, having are shaped outer margins for slidable engagement with a detent, and a spring actuated detent for cooperating with said elements. each element adapted to release the detent at the required point in the rotative movement of the head.

2. In an automatic controlling mecha nism. the combination of a rotatable head having a circular channel. a spring actuated detent. and a pluality of blocks slidably adjustable around the peripheral margin of the head. each block having an are shaped rib for engaging in said circular channel. and each block having an are shaped engaging face for cooperating with the detent. said engaging face having its rear margin. with respect to the direction of rotative movement of the head, positioned to release the detent at the required point, in said rotative movement.

3. In an automatic controlling mechanism, the combination of a rotatable head having a circular channel. a spring actuated detent. and a'plurality of blocks slidahly adjustable around the peripheral margin of the head, each block having an are shaped rib "for engaging in said circular channel, and an are shaped rib and a clamping plate and screw for clamping the block at any required point of adjustment to the head and each block having an are shaped engaging face for cooperating with the detent, said engaging faee having its rear margin with respect to the direction of ro tative movement of the head, positioned to release the detent at the required point in said rotativc movement. v

4. In an automatic controlling lllQt hanlsm. the combination of a rotatable head. a spring actuated detent. a detent latch. and a plurality of blocks slidahly adjustable around the peripheral margin of the head. each block having an are shaped engagii face for cooperating with the detent. sa t engaging face having its rear margin. mi respect to the direction of rotative nan.- ment of the head. positioned to releaw ti detent at the required point in said rotati t movement. each block also provided with a lug projecting from its underside operating to disengage a detent latch.

In an auton'iatie controlling mecha nism, the combination of a detent. a rot ata lile head provided with annular channels. a plurality of blocks. each having are shaped ribs on one side thereof. one rib adapted to seat in an annular channel. a clamping plate adapted to engage the other rib and also to seat in another of said annular tlIlIinets. and a clamping screw eooperatin;,. with the plate to secure the block in desired position of adjustment. each block having a detentengaging face in the arc of a cir le of which the axis of the head is the center, each block being positioned so that one margin of its detent-engaging face will re lease the detent at the required point in the rotative movement of the head.

ti, In an automatic controlling mechanism, the combination of a detent, a detent latch. a rotatable head, a plurality of blocks adjustablv secured thereto. each block having a detent engaging face and positioned so that one margin of its detent engaging face will release the detentat the rqjuired point in the rotative movement of the head. each block also provided with a downwardly projecting lug operating to actuate the detent latch before said release of the detent by the detentengaging face.

7. In an automatic controlling mechanism, the eon'ibination of a rotatable head having a circular channel, a spring actuated detent, and a plurality of blocks slidably adjustable around the peripheral margin of the head, each block having an are shaped engaging face for cooperating with the detent, said engaging face having its rear margin, with respect to the direction of to tative movement of the head, positioned to release the detent at the required point in said rotative movement. and means, in operative relationship with the head for build ing up power during a part; of its rotative movement. adapted to be released upon the relase of the detent by the. last of said blocks. to complete the rotative movement of the head to initial position.

AARON E. LOEWY.

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